Pak Taliban open to peace talks if government sincere

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is reportedly open to peace talks with Pakistan government on condition that the government proves its sincerity.

TTP spokesperson Shahidullah Shahid refuted claims that the group had decided against peace talks completely post the death of Hakimullah Mehsud in a US drone strike.

Shahid said that the militants were ready for talks despite losses but only if the government proved its sincerity, the Express Tribune reported.

Another TTP spokesman Azam Tariq expressed the group's interest in going through with the peace talks and claimed that the government never made any serious efforts to hold talks.

The group wants the government to declare a ceasefire first and create favorable environment to carry forward with the negotiations.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar has said that the government will decide when to hold talks with the outfit and when to carry out military operations against the terrorists, under the strategic aspect of the internal security.